Adhesion of Enterococcus faecalis 1131 grown under subinhibitory concentrations of ampicillin and vancomycin to a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic substratum

The effect of two subinhibitory antibiotic concentrations of ampicillin and vancomycin during growth on the adhesion of Enterococcus faecalis 1131 to glass and silicone rubber was studied in a parallel plate flow chamber. Initial deposition rates and numbers of adhering bacteria after 4 h were higher on hydrophilic glass than on hydrophobic silicone rubber, regardless of growth conditions. The presence of 1/4 minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ampicillin during growth reduced enterococcal adhesion to both substrata, but growth in the presence of 1/4 MIC vancomycin did not affect the adhesion of E. faecalis. Moreover, enterococcal adhesion increased after growth in the presence of 1/8 MIC vancomycin. The increased adhesion after growth in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of vancomycin may have strong implications for patients living with implanted biomaterials, as they may suffer adverse effects from use of this antibiotic, especially since bacteria once adhered are less sensitive to antibiotics.     

The effect of water, ascorbic acid, and cranberry derived supplementation on human urine and uropathogen adhesion to silicone rubber.

In this study, urine was collected from groups of volunteers following the consumption of water, ascorbic acid, or cranberry supplements. Only ascorbic acid intake consistently produced acidic urine. Photospectroscopy data indicated that increased water consumption produced urine with lower protein content. Surface tension measurements of the collected urine showed that both water and cranberry supplementation consistently produced urine with surface tensions higher than the control or urine collected following ascorbic acid intake. These urine samples were also employed to study uropathogen adhesion to silicone rubber in a parallel plate flow chamber. Urine obtained after ascorbic acid or cranberry supplementation reduced the initial deposition rates and numbers of adherent Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis, but not Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, or Candida albicans. Conversely, urine obtained from subjects with increased water intake vastly increased the initial deposition rates and numbers of adherent E. coli and E. faecalis (P < 0.05).     

Inhibition of initial adhesion of uropathogenic Enterococcus faecalis by biosurfactants from Lactobacillus isolates.

In this study, 15 Lactobacillus isolates were found to produce biosurfactants in the mid-exponential and stationary growth phases. The stationary-phase biosurfactants from lactobacillus casei subsp. rhamnosus 36 and ATCC 7469, Lactobacillus fermentum B54, and Lactobacillus acidophilus RC14 were investigated further to determine their capacity to inhibit the initial adhesion of uropathogenic Enterococcus faecalis 1131 to glass in a parallel-plate flow chamber. The initial deposition rate of E. faecalis to glass with an adsorbed biosurfactant layer from L. acidophilus RC14 or L. fermentum B54 was significantly decreased by approximately 70%, while the number of adhering enterococci after 4 h of adhesion was reduced by an average of 77%. The surface activity of the biosurfactants and their activity inhibiting the initial adhesion of E. faecalis 1131 were retained after dialysis (molecular weight cutoff, 6,000 to 8,000) and freeze-drying. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the freeze-dried biosurfactants from L. acidophilus RC14 and L. fermentum B54 were richest in protein, while those from L. casei subsp. rhamnosus 36 and ATCC 7469 had relatively high polysaccharide and phosphate contents.     

Influence of lactobacilli on the adhesion ofStaphylococcus aureus andCandida albicans to fibers and epithelial cells

The ability of organisms to adhere to and form biofilms on fibrous materials is believed to be an important initiating step in the induction of several diseases, such as toxic shock syndrome. Using anin vitro assay, a moderately hydrophobic strain ofStaphylococcus aureus (water contact angle 35°) and a hydrophilicCandida albicans (shown by a hexadecane test) were highly adherent to commercial diaper fibers. The lumen side of the diaper was porous and the fibers were very hydrophobic (>140°), but the internal section was very hydrophilic (0°), presumably for adsorption purposes. There was evidence that adhesion of the pathogens was inhibited when one of fiveLactobacillus strains was present. Surfaces precoated with lactobacilli inhibited staphylococcal adhesion by 26–97%, and candida by 0–67%. When the lactobacilli were used to challenge adherent pathogens, there was 99% displacement of theS. aureus and up to 91% displacement ofC. albicans. HydrophobicL. acidophilus 76 (54°) and T-13 (80°) were the most effective of fiveLactobacillus isolates tested at interference by precoating. The moderately hydrophilicL. casei varrhamnosus GR-1 (33°) was the most effective at displacing the yeast. Experiments with uroepithelial cells also showed that the lactobacilli could significantly interfere with the adhesion of both pathogens to the cells. The results demonstrate the rapidity with which two pathogens adhered to fibers and epithelial cells, and raised the possibility that members of the normal female urogenital flora might interfere with infections caused by these organisms.     

Fructose 1,6-diphosphate-activated L-lactate dehydrogenase from Streptococcus lactis: kinetic properties and factors affecting activation.

The L-(+)-lactate dehydrogenase (L-lactate:NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.27) of Streptococcus lactis C10, like that of other streptococci, was activated by fructose 1,6-diphosphate (FDP). The enzyme showed some activity in the absence of FDP, with a pH optimum of 8.2; FDP decreased the Km for both pyruvate and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and shifted the pH optimum to 6.9. Enzyme activity showed a hyperbolic response to both NADH and pyruvate in all the buffers tried except phosphate buffer, in which the response to increasing NADH was sigmoidal. The FDP concentration required for half-maximal velocity (FDP0.5V) was markedly influenced by the nature of the assay buffer used. Thus the FDP0.5V was 0.002 mM in 90 mM triethanolamine buffer, 0.2 mM in 90 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethanemaleate buffer, and 4.4 mM in 90 mM phosphate buffer. Phosphate inhibition of FDP binding is not a general property of streptococcal lactate dehydrogenase, since the FDP0.5V value for S. faecalis 8043 lactate dehydrogenase was not increased by phosphate. The S. faecalis and S. lactis lactate dehydrogenases also differed in that Mn2+ enhanced FDP binding in S. faecalis but had no effect on the S. lactis dehydrogenase. The FDP concentration (12 to 15 mM) found in S. lactis cells during logarithmic growth on a high-carbohydrate (3% lactose) medium would be adequate to give almost complete activation of the lactate dehydrogenase even if the high FDP0.5V value found in 90 mM phosphate were similar to the FDP requirement in vivo.     

Direct observations of cooperative effects in oral streptococcal adhesion to glass by analysis of the spatial arrangement of adhering bacteria

The spatial arrangement of two strains of oral bacteria adhering on glass was studied in order to investigate cooperative effects in their adhesion mechanisms. Streptococcus salivarius HB was a strain which possessed several classes of fibrillar surface appendages, whereas on the cell surface of S. mutants NS no surface appendages could be identified. The bacteria were deposited from a flowing suspension with various buffer concentrations on the bottom glass plate of a parallel plate flow cell and were observed directly with a video camera mounted on a phase contrast microscope. The positions of all adhering bacteria were determined by means of automated real time image analysis and subsequently employed for calculating radial and angular pair distribution functions. Pair distribution functions indicate the average relative number density of bacteria around one deposited bacterium as a function of the radial distance or the angular orientation relative to the flow direction. From the calculated pair distribution functions of both bacterial strains it was concluded that cooperative effects contributed to the adhesion of S. salivarius HB, but not to adhesion of S. mutants NS. It was suggested that these cooperative effects originate from the surface appendages of S. salivarius HB.     

Adhesion and surface-aggregation of Candida albicans from saliva on acrylic surfaces with adhering bacteria as studied in a parallel plate flow chamber

Adhesive interactions between Candida albicans and oral bacteria are generally thought to play a crucial role in the microbial colonization of denture acrylic, which may lead to denture stomatitis. This study investigated the influence of saliva on the adhesive interactions between C. albicans and Streptococcus sanguis or Actinomyces naeslundii on denture acrylic. First, bacteria were allowed to adhere to the acrylic surface from a flowing suspension, and subsequently yeasts were flowed over the acrylic surface. The organisms were assayed in the presence or absence of human whole saliva. All experiments were carried out in a parallel plate flow chamber and enumeration was done in situ with an image analysis system. In the absence of adhering bacteria, adhesion of C. albicans from buffer was more extensive than from saliva. However, in the presence of adhering bacteria, yeast adhesion from saliva was increased with respect to adhesion of yeasts from buffer, indicating that specific salivary components constitute a bridge between bacteria and yeasts. In all cases, yeast aggregates consisting of 3 to 5 yeast cells were observed adhering to the surface. A surface physico-chemical analysis of the microbial cell surfaces prior to and after bathing the microorganisms in saliva, suggests that this bridging is mediated by acid-base interactions since all strains show a major increase in electron-donating surface free energy parameters upon bathing in saliva, with no change in their zeta potentials. The surface physico-chemical analysis furthermore suggests that S. sanguis and A. naeslundii may use a different mechanism for adhesive interactions with C. albicans in saliva.     

Influence of probiotic vaginal lactobacilli on in vitro adhesion of urogenital pathogens to vaginal epithelial cells

AIMS: Lactobacilli, the predominant micro-organisms of the vaginal microbiota, play a major role in the maintenance of a healthy urogenital tract by preventing the colonization of pathogenic bacteria. The aim of the present study was to assess the ability of four vaginal Lactobacillus strains, previously selected for their probiotic features, to block in vitro the adherence of three human urogenital pathogens to vaginal epithelial cells (VEC). METHODS AND RESULTS: Three types of assays were performed in order to determine the inhibitory effect of lactobacilli on adhesion of urogenital pathogens to VEC: blockage by exclusion (lactobacilli and VEC followed by pathogens), competition (lactobacilli, VEC and pathogens together) and displacement (pathogens and VEC followed by the addition of lactobacilli). Bacterial adhesion to VEC was quantified by microscopy (x1000) after Gram's stain. All the strains were able to inhibit by exclusion and competition the adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus to VEC but none was able to decrease the attachment of Escherichia coli by neither of the mechanisms assayed. Only Lactobacillus acidophillus CRL 1259 and Lactobacillus paracasei CRL 1289 inhibited the attachment of Group B streptococci (GBS) to VEC by exclusion and competition respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Lactobacillus of vaginal origin were able to inhibit the attachment of genitouropathogenic Staph. aureus and GBS to the vaginal epithelium. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results support the probiotic potential of these Lactobacillus strains as anti-infective agents in the vagina and encourage further studies about their capacity to prevent and manage urogenital tract infections in females.     

Prediction of Streptococcus salivarius subsp. thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus populations in yoghurt by Curie point pyrolysis-mass spectrometry.

We evaluated the potential of pyrolysis-mass spectrometry (PyMS) for quantifying the binary mixed population of Streptococcus salivarius subsp. thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus in yoghurt. For this purpose, a new analytical approach was developed. The yoghurt was transparised and its total bacterial population was recovered by centrifugation and estimated by turbidimetric measurement. The quantity of each population (L. bulgaricus, S. thermophilus) was then estimated in the pellet by PyMS, and the data were analysed by artificial neural networks (ANNs). In parallel, streptococci and lactobacilli were numerated on SYL agar and these data were used as reference values to predict the bacterial counts of each population by PyMS. A close correlation was established between the streptococci and the lactobacilli counts on SYL agar and PyMS measurements (r(2)=0.98 for S. thermophilus and r(2)=0.96 for L. bulgaricus). Combined turbidimetric measurement and PyMS/ANNs seemed to be a powerful method for obtaining rapid counts of binary mixtures of bacteria in yoghurt.     

Simultaneously Capturing Real-time Images in Two Emission Channels Using a Dual Camera Emission Splitting System: Applications to Cell Adhesion

Multi-color immunofluorescence microscopy to detect specific molecules in the cell membrane can be coupled with parallel plate flow chamber assays to investigate mechanisms governing cell adhesion under dynamic flow conditions. For instance, cancer cells labeled with multiple fluorophores can be perfused over a potentially reactive substrate to model mechanisms of cancer metastasis. However, multi-channel single camera systems and color cameras exhibit shortcomings in image acquisition for real-time live cell analysis. To overcome these limitations, we used a dual camera emission splitting system to simultaneously capture real-time image sequences of fluorescently labeled cells in the flow chamber. Dual camera emission splitting systems filter defined wavelength ranges into two monochrome CCD cameras, thereby simultaneously capturing two spatially identical but fluorophore-specific images. Subsequently, psuedocolored one-channel images are combined into a single real-time merged sequence that can reveal multiple target molecules on cells moving rapidly across a region of interest.     

Effects of Lactobacillus reuteri PTA 5289 and L. paracasei DSMZ16671 on the Adhesion and Biofilm Formation of Streptococcus mutans

Probiotics have decreased the counts of salivary mutans streptococci (MS) in clinical studies. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Lactobacillus reuteri PTA 5289 and L. paracasei DSMZ16671 on the adhesion of a reference strain and a clinical isolate of Streptococcus mutans and on the counts of MS in a biofilm. The adhesion of S. mutans Ingbritt and the clinical isolate S. mutans 2366 to a smooth glass surface and saliva-coated hydroxyapatite (SHA) were studied in the presence of and without the lactobacilli. A three-species biofilm formed on saliva-coated hydroxyapatite discs was used in the biofilm experiments. The lactobacilli did not affect adhesion to the glass surface but interfered with binding to SHA. No effects of the lactobacilli were detected on the MS levels in the three-species biofilms. The results of the SHA binding experiments best reflected the results of the existing clinical studies.     

Use of fecal streptococci as indicators of pollution in soil.

The survival, recovery, and identification of Streptococcus isolates from soil was investigated by (i) examination of survival in soil under different moisture and temperature conditions, (ii) evaluation of media combinations for recovering fecal streptococci from soil, and (iii) partial identification of isolates from diverse habitats. Cool, moist conditions prolonged the survival of Streptococcus faecalis in soil for at least 12 weeks, whereas freezing was lethal, with the populations being reduced up to 95% when several freeze-thaw treatments occurred. Media evaluations indicated that both the efficiency of recovery and enumeration of the fecal streptococci from soil can be influenced by the combination of media used. Taxonomic data revealed a need to develop procedures to differentiate between isolates of fecal origin and plant-derived streptococci that possess many of the cultural reactions of S. faecalis. It was found that recent fecal isolates exhibited a much greater incidence of multiple antibiotic resistance than soil or vegetation isolates, and this characteristic, coupled with the use of enterococci as indicators of fecal contamination in soil systems, is discussed.     

Use of fecal streptococci as indicators of pollution in soil.

The survival, recovery, and identification of Streptococcus isolates from soil was investigated by (i) examination of survival in soil under different moisture and temperature conditions, (ii) evaluation of media combinations for recovering fecal streptococci from soil, and (iii) partial identification of isolates from diverse habitats. Cool, moist conditions prolonged the survival of Streptococcus faecalis in soil for at least 12 weeks, whereas freezing was lethal, with the populations being reduced up to 95% when several freeze-thaw treatments occurred. Media evaluations indicated that both the efficiency of recovery and enumeration of the fecal streptococci from soil can be influenced by the combination of media used. Taxonomic data revealed a need to develop procedures to differentiate between isolates of fecal origin and plant-derived streptococci that possess many of the cultural reactions of S. faecalis. It was found that recent fecal isolates exhibited a much greater incidence of multiple antibiotic resistance than soil or vegetation isolates, and this characteristic, coupled with the use of enterococci as indicators of fecal contamination in soil systems, is discussed.     

Measurement of charge transfer during bacterial adhesion to an indium tin oxide surface in a parallel plate flow chamber.

An experimental method is described for the measurement of charge transfer during bacterial adhesion in situ to a transparent, semiconducting indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass plate in a parallel plate flow chamber. Bacterial adhesion is measured simultaneously with either the electric potential or the capacitance of the surface. Initial bacterial adhesion was accompanied by a change in electric potential of the surface with no measurable change in capacitance. Consequently, it can be assumed that the change in electric potential of the surface is due to charge transfer between bacteria and the surface, and it can be calculated that, on average, a charge of about 10(-14) C per bacterium is exchanged during initial adhesion, which corresponds to only several percent of the total surface charge of a bacterium. Charge transfer could either be to or from the bacterial cell surface, dependent on the bacterial strain involved and the ionic strength used.     

Quantitative evaluation of adhesion of lactobacilli isolated from human intestinal tissues to human colonic mucin using surface plasmon resonance (BIACORE assay)

AIMS: To isolate lactobacilli from the mucus layer of the human intestine and evaluate their adhesion abilities using a BIACORE assay. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty strains of lactobacilli were isolated from the mucus layer of normal human intestinal tissues using conventional plate culture. The strains were identified using homology comparisons of the 16S rDNA sequence to databases as Lactobacillus salivarius (26%), Lactobacillus fermentum (13%), Lactobacillus gasseri (10%), Lactobacillus paracasei (7%), Lactobacillus casei (3%), Lactobacillus mucosae (3%) and Lactobacillus plantarum (3%). Lactobacillus plantarum LA 318 shows the highest adhesion to human colonic mucin (HCM) using the BIACORE assay at 115.30 +/- 12.37 resonance unit (RU). The adhesion of cell wall surface proteins from strain LA 318 was significantly higher to HCM than to bovine serum albumin (BSA; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We isolated 30 strains of lactobacilli. Lactobacillus salivarius was the predominant species of lactobacilli isolated in this study. The adhesion of strain LA 318 isolated from human transverse colon to its mucin was shown. The adhesion could be mediated by lectin-like components on the bacterial cell surface. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first study where lactobacilli were isolated from human intestinal tissues and shown to adhere to HCM.     

Purification and characterization of a surface-binding protein from Lactobacillus fermentum RC-14 that inhibits adhesion of Enterococcus faecalis 1131

Lactobacilli have been shown to be important in the maintenance of the healthy urogenital flora. One strain, Lactobacillus fermentum RC-14, releases surface-active components which can inhibit adhesion of uropathogenic bacteria. Using a quantitative method for determining inhibition of adhesion, a protein with high anti-adhesive properties against Enterococcus faecalis 1131 was purified. The N-terminal sequence of the 29-kDa protein was identical to that of a collagen-binding protein from Lactobacillus reuteri NCIB 11951, and exhibited close homology with a basic surface protein from L. fermentum BR11. The results suggest that this anti-adhesive cell surface protein of Lactobacillus could protect against uropathogens by preventing their adhesion. the Federation of European Microbiological Societies.     

An apparatus for submerged gel electrophoresis.

A novel apparatus for submerged gel electrophoresis is described in detail. It includes an upper buffer compartment, a lower buffer compartment, and a horizontal plate between the two compartments. The horizontal plate is a heat exchanger connected to an external heater/cooler. Buffer circulates between the two compartments through openings in the horizontal plate. In the upper compartment two separated openings are positioned on each side of the horizontal plate between the side walls and long vertical barriers. The barriers initially direct the flow of buffer and define the electric field on the sides of the upper compartment. The electric field is confined essentially into a rectangular box, defined on the ends by the end walls, on the sides by the barriers, on the bottom by the cooling plate, and on the top by the air. Since the volume of buffer is smaller in the electrode compartment than in the reservoir under the cooling plate, this design enables formation of a substantially uniform electric field without creating too high a current. To enhance uniformity of the electric field, anode and cathode consist each of two platinum wires positioned one above the other at a distance of 6 mm. The electrodes can be placed parallel to the sides and perpendicular to the buffer flow or parallel to the ends and the flow of buffer. The stream of buffer in the upper compartment is regulated by two dams, perpendicular to the long barriers, on each end of the horizontal plate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The adherence of lactic acid bacteria to the columnar epithelial cells of pigs and calves

The adhesion of various lactobacilli and streptococci to columnar epithelial cells of pigs and calves were studied, by in vitro methods. The porcine strains isolated most frequently were Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Lact. acidophilus and Lact. fermentum. Thirteen of the 22 lactobacilli were adhesive. All the streptococci isolated belonged to Lancefield's D-group; none of them adhered to pig epithelial cells. The adhesive strains (9 of 22) of calves were identified as Lact. fermentum. Adherence was variable even between strains of the same species. Isolates from plant material, cultured milk and cheese did not adhere to the columnar epithelial cells in vitro. The adhesive porcine strains tolerated low pH and bile acids, which is important for their survival under conditions in the stomach and intestine.     

Properties of a phosphocarrier protein (HPr) extracted from intact cells of Streptococcus sanguis

Cells of Streptococcus sanguis strain Challis were incubated with sodium lauroylsarcosinate to extract surface proteins. A polypeptide of apparent molecular mass 16 kDa comprising about 12% of the extract was purified using anion-exchange chromatography. The polypeptide was shown to be a phosphocarrier protein (HPr) that could also be found in the soluble (cytoplasmic) fraction from cells broken by homogenization with glass beads. In vivo labelling of S. sanguis cells with 32Pi showed that the polypeptide carried a heat- and acid-stable phosphorylation and that during sucrose starvation the HPr became dephosphorylated. Antiserum raised to the S. sanguis HPr reacted on Western blots with HPrs from all oral streptococci tested, together with strains of S. pyogenes and S. salivarius, but not with HPrs from S. faecalis or S. bovis, nor with proteins from Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Actinomyces viscosus and various lactobacilli. The S. sanguis HPr had a high content of alanine (17.2%) and was similar in overall amino acid composition to the HPrs from S. mutans an S. salivarius. The N-terminal residues (to 37) of the S. sanguis HPr showed strong sequence identity (82%) with the N-terminal sequence of S. faecalis HPr. It is suggested that HPr in S. sanguis is associated closely with the cytoplasmic membrane. Non-disruptive methods of removing cell-surface proteins from streptococci effect release of HPr and possibly other cytoplasmic components.